The Citizen, 1990-11-28, Page 1Bd of Ed.
considers
boundary
shifts
Looking for solutions to the
enrollment and capacity imbal
ances in the county’s schools has
been a widely discussed area of
concern for the Huron County
Board of Education (HCBE) and its
trustees for some time now. With
projected enrollments in certain
areas increasing, where schools are
already over-crowded and a skele
ton budget that makes the building
of permanent structures difficult,
the board has begun to look at
possible alternatives.
A report issued by the Urban
Analysis Group, who studied the
problem in Huron, was presented
to HCBE. The document suggested
that a potential solution to some of
the schools problems would be
boundary shifts. However, Super
intendent of Operations Paul Car
roll said in his presentation to the
board Nov. 19 that this is a concept
only and all directions and options
will be discussed. “This is based
on preliminary thoughts, to help us
begin to, not make, but, begin to
set directions.’’ He stated that
boundary changes is an issue that
can be emotional and controversial.
“We have to first look at the
concepts. Then we have time to
look at the details and discuss them
as they relate from school to school.
I stress again that we need to look
at all possible directions before
making any definite commitment.
The trustees felt strongly that
the public must be given input into
the idea if the board decided it is an
option. “I think this is something
the community has to have input
into,’’ said John Jewitt, Trustee for
Blyth and Hullett. “We must have
dialogue. If we intend to go this
route the sooner we get people into
it the better.”
The concepts for solutions to
overcrowding are in three groups:
adding permanent space; revising
boundaries; and alternate solu
tions. None of the area schools are
slated for possible additions but an
extension of the Clinton Public
School boundary could be done to
address the overcrowding of Hul
lett Central Public School. Current
enrollment at Hullett exceeds the
Ministry rated capacities by 30
students while Clinton has 99
surplus places.
The alternate solution has so far
in conceptual discussion met with
considerable opposition from
Wingham trustee Liliane Nolan.
Mrs. Nolan feels that to create an
intermediate wing at F. E. Madill
Secondary School, where there is
available space, for the Grade 7/8
of Wingham Public School, Turn
berry Central and East Wawanosh
Public is not a sensible option. “I
think you have to consider the
safety of those kids,” Mrs. Nolan
said. “John St., where their section
is to be located is dangerous. Also,
I don’t like the idea of children in
Grade 7 and 8 being mixed in so
early with high school students.
Look how difficult the transition is
in Grade 9.”
Director of Education Bob Allan
Continued on Page 35
VOL. 6 NO. 48 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1990. 50 CENTS
Good citizen
Theresa Knox, RR 1, Blyth, receives the Murray Cardiff Citizenship Award from Mr. Cardiff at the
annual Awards Night for Huron County 4-H members in Clinton Friday night. The award is the
highest award of the county 4-H movement, going annually to the 4-H member who has an excellent
record in 4-H and community activities.
Blyth hosts Santas visit Saturday
Blyth Lions and Optimists will
host Santa Claus' annual visit to
the village Saturday afternoon.
The two service clubs will begin
the day with a garage sale of good
used toys in the basement of
Memorial Hall starting at 10 a.m.
There will be games and activities
at 10:30 and entertainment for
children at 11:30. Lunch will be
available.
At 2 p.m. a film program will be
presented upstairs in the theatre.
About 3 p.m. the jolly old man
himself will be on hand to pass out
goodies and talk to the children.
Top 4-H
Award won
by Blyth girl
The Murray Cardiff Citizenship
Trophy, the highest award in
Huron County 4H activities was
won by Theresa Knox of RR 1,
Blyth. The presentation was made
at the annual Huron County 4H
Awards Night in Clinton, Friday.
Since she started in 4H clubs in
1985, Ms. Knox has completed 24
4H projects from dairy and vet
clubs to personal finance, land
scaping and etiquette. She took
part in the Regional Conference for
15 year olds, the Provincial Leader
ship Camp in 1990 and won the
Marion Pardy Women’s Institute
Scholarship in 1990 and took part in
the Hayes Classic dairy competi
tion at the Royal Winter Fair. She
was County Grand Champion Dairy
Showman in 1987 and was a
member of her club’s “Go For The
Gold” team several times.
She has also been on the
Students Council of Central Huron
Secondary School for three years
and is involved in the school’s
newspaper, choir and band. She
has also played an active role in her
church.
The prize was awarded after the
nominees were interviewed by a
panel of judges. Others nominated
for the award were Vanessa Alton,
Donna Lynn Armstrong, Pam Car
ter, Jennifer Dutot, Donna John
ston, Steve Rintoul, Mary Lou
Stewart, Matt Townsend and Diana
Verberne.
Another major award, the C. C.
McNaughton Memorial Award for
the 4H member with the highest
points for 4H work in 1990 was won
by Donna Johnston, RR 2, Blue
vale. The Brussels 4H Dairy Club
member scored 951 out of 951
points.
Brussels Santa
parade Saturday
Santa Claus is coming to Brus
sels! He arrives Saturday to be the
guest of honour in the annual Santa
Claus Parade, starting at 3:30 p.m.
The parade route begins at CIL
Agromart at the north end of the
village and will finish up at
Callander Nursing Home. Judging
will take place at 3:00 at the
Agromart. There will be cash
prizes for the Best Clown, adult
and child; Commercial Float; Best
Senior Organizational Float; Best
Junior Organizational Float; Best
Animal Drawn Float and Best
Continued on page 9